Reel cannister

ABSTRACT

A substantially dust-free reel container for magnetic computer tapes and the like includes two mating sections, the first section having a central upright spindle provided with an internal shoulder, the second section having a centrally located biased locking mechanism to securely engage the central spindle.

United States Patent [191 Fuller [4 Oct. 16, 1973 1 1 REEL CANNISTER [75 lnventor: Edward H. Fuller, North Chelmsford, Mass. [73] Assignee: BasfWyandotte Corporation,

Wyandotte, Mich.

[22] Filed: July 2, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 159,178

[52] US. Cl 206/52 F, 220/55 K [51] Int. Cl. B65d 85/02 [58] Field of Search 206/1.5, 52 R, 52 F, 206/59 E; 220/55 C, 55 K; 285/317, 322

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,661,250 5/1972 Lyman 206/52 F 3,578,156 5/1971 Norby 206/52 F 3,341,001 9/1967 Barclay et a1. 220/55 K X 597,574 1/1898 Dick 220/55 K X 3,489,273 1/1970 McKelvey, Jr. 220/55 C X 3,503,637 3/1970 Maeshiba 285/317 X 3,041,089 6/1962 Purves 285/317 X 2,866,574 12/1958 Roumeliotis 220/55 K FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 133,029 9/1927 Switzerland 220/55 C 1,467,928 2/1967 France 220/55 K Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman Attorney-Robert E. Dunn, Joseph D. Michaels, Robert M. Phipps and Bernhard R. Swick [5 7] ABSTRACT A substantiaily du stfree rl blififier a; magnetic computer tapes and the like includes two mating sections, the first section having a central upright spindle provided with an internal shoulder, the second section having a centrally located biased locking mechanism to securely engage the central spindle.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUET 16 m3 SHEET 1 [IF 2 FIG. I

INVENTOR EDWARD H. FULLER ATTORNEY PATENIEuncHs ms 3,765,530 SHEET 8 BF 2 lNVENTOR EDWARD H. FULLER ATTORNEY REEL CANNISTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to containers for tape reels, movie reels and the like. More particularly, the present invention concerns containers of the type herein described which include biased locking mechanisms.

2. Prior Art Reel containers or cannisters for tapes, films and the like are well known and have come to know various embodiments. Usually, the prior art has taught such cannisters in combination with a varying multitude of locking mechanisms. See, for example, US. Pat. Nos. 3,447,673; 3,540,518; 3,489,273; 3,074,546; 3,138,250 and 3,498,447.

Generally speaking, however, the locking mechanisms comprise either swivel handle operated mechanisms or pushbutton assemblies. In any event, included with these locking arrangements are intricate lever systems, locking lugs or dogs and the like. Cannisters having these mechanisms suffer from expensive production, inconvenient usability and the inability to withstand long durations of use due to wear of the mechanical parts. The present invention seeks to eliminate or substantially reduce these problems by providing a reel cannister of simplified construction which includes a convenient, durable, locking mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a substantially dustfree reel cannister having a centrally disposed, biased locking mechanism. Generally, the cannister comprises a pair of mating sections, one section being provided with central spindle or cylindrical wall having an interior shoulder defined therein. The other section has a central opening onto which is fitted a biased, locking mechanism which includes at least one finger operatively connected to suitable biasing means and which cooperates with the shoulder to lock the two sections together.

For a more complete description of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing like reference, characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which:

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a planar view of the cannister;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cannister in locking relationship taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3' is'a cut-away section of the cannister about the locking mechanism showing same in unlocked relationship,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the locking mechanism taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away section of the cannister about the locking mechanism showing an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cut-away section of the cannister about the locking mechanism showing another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a section view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 6 taken along the line 77 thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the present invention comprises a reel cannister or container, generally indicated at 10, which includes mating sections 12 and 14, section 12 carrying the locking mechanism generally indicated at 16.

With more particularity and with reference to FIG. 2, section 12 has a wall 18 and a peripherally depending wall or ring 20 of lesser diameter than the wall 18 to define a rim 22 on the wall 18. Section 12 is also formed with a central well 24, which is defined by a depending cylindrical wall 26 and a disc 28 located at the lowest end of cylindrical wall 26 and parallel to the wall 18. Disposed within the disc 28 is a centrally positioned opening or aperture 30 which is concentric with the wall 20. Projecting upwardly from the disc 28 and surrounding the opening 30 is a cylindrical upstanding wall or tubular post 32. The post 32 carries the locking mechanism 16 which is described in detail below.

As seen in FIG. 2, section 14 comprises a circular wall 34 having a cylindrical peripheral flange 36 of lesser diameter than the wall 34. Spaced inwardly from the flange 36 is a cylindrical side wall 38 which is concentric with the flange 36 and is of greater height than the flange 36. The flange 36 and the side wall 38 cooperate to define an annular groove 40 in which is emplaced a gasket or sealing ring 42.

When the sections 12 and 14 are in mating relationship, the side wall 20 is insertable between the flange 36 and the side wall 38 such that the annular groove 40 of section 14 receives the wall 20 of section 12 to provide a substantially dust-free environment within the cannister.

With further reference to FIG. 2, it is seen that sec- I tion 14 further includes an annular ring 44 which is concentric with the side wall 38 and the flange 36, but of lesser diameter than the side wall and the flange. The diameter of the ring 44 is slightly greater than that of the disc 28 of section 12 such that when the two sections are in mating relationship the annular ring 44 and the cylindrical wall 26 of the wall 24 are concentric and juxtaposed.

The annular ring 44 is surrounded by a gasket 46 similar to a gasket 48 fitted at the intersection of the cylindrical wall 26 and the top wall 18 of section 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the section 14 has a centrally disposed and extending substantially cylindrical spindle 50 which is concentric with the ring 44, wall 38 and flange 36. The spindle generally comprises two integrally formed parts 52 and 54. The part 52 has a substantially cylindrical configuration. The part 54 is provided with an interior frusto-conical configuration such that at the junction of the two parts 52 and 54, an interior shoulder 56 is formed, the interior of the spindle thereby having a restricted opening 58 at the junction of the two parts.

Referring particularly now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, there is depicted therein the detail of locking mechanism 16. The locking mechanism 16 generally comprises a circular wall 60 having depending parallel diametrically extending sections 62 and 64. The sections 62 and 64 define an open-ended slot or channel 66.

The locking mechanism 16 further includes a cylindrical sidewall affixed to and depending from circular wall 60 and having diametrically opposed cut out sections 72, the edges of which are perpendicular to the edges of sections 62 and 64. The edges of sections 62 and 64, the cut out section 72 and the top edge of the post 32 cooperate to define an opening 63 into the channel 66.

The cylindrical sidewall 70 is of only slightly greater diameter than the cylindrical upstanding wall 32 disposed in the well 24, such that the exterior of the wall 32 can securely frictionally engage or otherwise be fitted to the interior surface of sidewall 70.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, emplaced within the channel 66 is biasing means 68, which comprises a spring, resilient member or the like. The biasing means is normally biased outwardly.

A pair of opposed actuating members 74 and 76 are provided which are axially slidably mounted in the slot or channel 66. Each of the actuating members comprises a support member 78 disposed in the channel 66 and of substantially the same size as the space defined between the top edge of the post 32 and the portion of the cutout section 72 thereabove.

The support member 78 has a depending finger 80 integrally formed therewith which extends downwardly into the interior of the post 32.

The depending finger 80 has its free end formed with a sloped side flange 82 which cooperates with the finger 80 to define a shoulder 84. The slope of the flange is complementary to that of the frusto-conical part 54 of spindle 50.

The finger 80 has perpendicular guides 86 formed therewith at its other end, which seatingly engage the edges of sections 62 and 64 to guide axial movement therealong.

The support member 78, also, includes an abutment surface 88, which serves as a stop for the biasing means 68. Projecting from the abutment surface 88 is a projection 90 upon which is mounted the biasing means to ensure stability of the system.

The support members are further provided with finger grips 92 for facilitating urging of the actuating members against the force exerted by the biasing means and are disposed exteriorly of the post 32 in the well 24.

In bringing the two sections 12 and 14 into a locked or mated relation, the sloped flanges 82 of the fingers 80 ride down the complementary sloped sides of the upper part 54 of the spindle 50 thereby acting against the normal outward force of the biasing means 62 to bring the fingers into near-abutting relationship. This close proximity provides sufficient clearance to enable the fingers to pass through the restricted opening 58 where, once passed, the fingers are again urged and extended outwardly by the action of the biasing means. If a separating force is thereafter applied the shoulder 84 seatingly engages the shoulder 56 to retard such force and provide a secure lock between the two sections 12 and 14.

To separate the two sections, as shown in FIG. 3, the finger grips are urged toward each other thereby bringing the fingers into near abutment permitting the fingers to be lifted through the restricted opening 58, thus, effectuating separation.

In an alternate embodiment of the subject invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the spindle 50 is provided with a medial bead 174 in lieu of the frusto-conical part 54. In this regard it is seen that the only critical part to the spindle is that it be provided with an interior shoulder for engaging the shoulder of the sloped flange of the finger 80.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 there is depicted another alternate embodiment wherein actuating members 274 and 276 are biased outwardly by a unitary member 268 which is a resilient body such as a metal strip bent into the configuration shown.

It is to be further understood that in the practice of the present invention only a single actuating member with a depending finger is required if the biasing means has one end thereof integrally formed or otherwise secured to the depending sidewall of the locking mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. In a reel cannister comprising:

a. a first section (which is the bottom of said cannister) provided with a central spindle having an internal shoulder defined therein;

b. a second section (which is the top of said cannister) which matingly engages the first section thereby completely enclosing a defined space when so engaged, and

c. a locking mechanism carried by the second section for locking the two sections together when in mating engagement,

the improvement wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pair of opposed actuating members, each said member comprising a support member having one end of a depending finger integrally formed therewith, a centrally disposed tubular post extending upwardly from said second section, said post including a top wall closing the exterior end thereof and having a channel depending therefrom, the support members being axially slidable in said channel, and having an abutment surface which engages normally outward biasing means emplaced within said channel, the finger having a flange formed at its free end, the flange and the finger defining a shoulder which seatingly engages the shoulder of the first section when the two sections are in mating engagement, the locking mechanism being carried on said centrally disposed upstanding tubular post and having a sidewall frictionally engaging the exterior surface of the post with the finger of the actuating member being disposed in the interior of the post.

2. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the biasing means is a spring. I

3. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the biasing means is a resilient body.

4. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the actuating members further include finger grips.

5. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the interior of the spindle comprises a first cylindrical part and a second frusto-conical part, the junction of the two parts defining the shoulder.

6. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the spindle has an interior medial bead defining the shoulder.

7. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the flanges are sloped.

8. The cannister of claim 7 wherein the interior of the spindle comprises a first cylindrical part and a second frusto-conical part, the junction of the two parts defining the shoulder.

9. In a cannister for tape reels and the like, of the type having first and second sections adapted to matingly engage and securely lock to each other, the first section having a central spindle and the second section having a central well with an upstanding tubular post 6 therein, the improvement comprising a central locking surface which engages normally outward biasing mechanism therefor comprising: means emplaced within said channel, the finger exa. a shoulder disposed in the interior of the spindle; tending into the post, a flange formed at the other and end of the finger, the flange and finger defining a b. a pair of actuating members carried on the up- 5 shoulder which engages the shoulder in the spindle. standing post, each said actuating member includ- 10. The cannister of claim 9 wherein the biasing ing a support member having one end of a dependmeans is a spring. ing finger integrally formed therewith, the support 11. The cannister of claim 9 wherein the biasing members being axially slidable in a channel demeans is a resilient body.

pending from the top wall closing the exterior end 10 12. The cannister of claim 9 wherein the actuating of said tubular post, said channel being contained members further include finger grips. within said tubular post, and having an abutment 

1. In a reel cannister comprising: a. a first section (which is the bottom of said cannister) provided with a central spindle having an internal shoulder defined therein; b. a second section (which is the top of said cannister) which matingly engages the first section thereby completely enclosing a defined space when so engaged, and c. a locking mechanism carried by the second section for locking the two sections together when in mating engagement, the improvement wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pair of opposed actuating members, each said member comprising a support member having one end of a depending finger integralLy formed therewith, a centrally disposed tubular post extending upwardly from said second section, said post including a top wall closing the exterior end thereof and having a channel depending therefrom, the support members being axially slidable in said channel, and having an abutment surface which engages normally outward biasing means emplaced within said channel, the finger having a flange formed at its free end, the flange and the finger defining a shoulder which seatingly engages the shoulder of the first section when the two sections are in mating engagement, the locking mechanism being carried on said centrally disposed upstanding tubular post and having a sidewall frictionally engaging the exterior surface of the post with the finger of the actuating member being disposed in the interior of the post.
 2. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the biasing means is a spring.
 3. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the biasing means is a resilient body.
 4. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the actuating members further include finger grips.
 5. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the interior of the spindle comprises a first cylindrical part and a second frusto-conical part, the junction of the two parts defining the shoulder.
 6. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the spindle has an interior medial bead defining the shoulder.
 7. The cannister of claim 1 wherein the flanges are sloped.
 8. The cannister of claim 7 wherein the interior of the spindle comprises a first cylindrical part and a second frusto-conical part, the junction of the two parts defining the shoulder.
 9. In a cannister for tape reels and the like, of the type having first and second sections adapted to matingly engage and securely lock to each other, the first section having a central spindle and the second section having a central well with an upstanding tubular post therein, the improvement comprising a central locking mechanism therefor comprising: a. a shoulder disposed in the interior of the spindle; and b. a pair of actuating members carried on the upstanding post, each said actuating member including a support member having one end of a depending finger integrally formed therewith, the support members being axially slidable in a channel depending from the top wall closing the exterior end of said tubular post, said channel being contained within said tubular post, and having an abutment surface which engages normally outward biasing means emplaced within said channel, the finger extending into the post, a flange formed at the other end of the finger, the flange and finger defining a shoulder which engages the shoulder in the spindle.
 10. The cannister of claim 9 wherein the biasing means is a spring.
 11. The cannister of claim 9 wherein the biasing means is a resilient body.
 12. The cannister of claim 9 wherein the actuating members further include finger grips. 